The choice between continuing dialysis or getting a kidney transplant is a huge decision for those who have just been told they have severe kidney failure or chronic kidney disease (CKD). Both are options for saving your life, but they have different risks, ways to manage your lifestyle, long-term results, and the quality of your life. Recognizing the differences can help patients and their family members with either option make an informed decision. In this article, we will discuss dialysis in detail and when it is needed, as backed by the Best nephrologists in Chandigarh.
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way to replace the work of your kidneys. Dialysis cleanses your blood by removing waste, excess fluids, and other toxins. You will need dialysis when you have lost 85-90% of your kidney function. There are two types of dialysis. Hemodialysis is done at a hospital or at a dialysis center, and peritoneal dialysis is done at home. Dialysis is not a cure for kidney failure; rather, it is a temporary solution that needs to be maintained several times each week.
What is a kidney transplant?
A kidney transplant is when a doctor surgically places a healthy kidney from a donor inside the body of someone who has kidney failure. This new kidney will perform the same functions as the kidneys that no longer work in your body. It is a more permanent solution than dialysis. The donor can be a live or deceased person. Compatibility of the donor kidney with the recipient is one of the most important factors in the success of a kidney transplant.
- Short-term safety
Dialysis is considered safe in the short-term because it is done without any type of major surgery. It is one of the first options after kidney failure, especially for patients who are not able to receive a transplant right away. A kidney transplant will require Kidney Transplant Treatment, there are risks associated with surgery associated with all surgeries, including, but not limited to, infections, bleeding, and rejection of the kidney from another person.
- Long-Term Outcomes
Kidney transplantation provides superior long-term health outcomes for patients compared to being on long-term dialysis. Research indicates that after a successful transplant, most patients will live much longer than those who have been on long-term dialysis, and they’ll have a much better quality of life than people who are receiving dialysis.
In addition, long-term dialysis will cause stress to the body and increase the risk of complications such as heart disease, infection, or fatigue.
- Quality of Life
As per the Best nephrologists in Chandigarh living with dialysis, compliance with very rigid schedules and a lot of lifestyle changes. Patients are constantly making frequent trips to the hospital for treatment and are required to adhere to a very restricted diet, limiting their ability to conduct much of their normal daily routine.
After their recovery from a successful transplant, patients will often return to a much more normalized lifestyle; however, they will still be required to take medications for the rest of their lives to prevent their body from rejecting their new kidney.
Sohana Hospital Mohali provides the most advanced Kidney Transplant Treatment, thanks to its cutting-edge technology and North India’s best kidney specialists. Book your appointment today!